Steaming device for hats



June ll, 1929. H, E, PAGE STEAMING DEVICE FOR HATS Filed Deo. 4, 1923 Patented .lune 11', 19129n 'narran srarss.

rAreNr OFFICE- HERBERT EDW'ARD PAGE, OF SYRACUSE, NEVI YORK, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED STATES HOFFBAIJ lVACHINlE-RY CORPORATION,

DELAWARE. K

OTE' NEVJ YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF STEAMNG DEVICE FOR HATS;

Application filed December Il, 1923. Serial No. 678,449.

rlhis invention pertains to hat machines and more partieularly to an improved means for heating the block used for shaping the crowns of hats and softening the same by the ejection of steam to and against. the interior surface of the hat which is plac d upon the block. The structure as hereinafter set forth is applicable for factory use and likewise for use in the renovation of hats, both fabric and straw.' (.)ne embodiment of the invention is shown in the annexed drawing wherein tbe stand with a block thereon is illustrated in sectional elevation.

ln the treatment of hat bodies it is essential to soften the same and such softening action can best be had when the hat is supported upon a block, which block is heated and provided with perforations through which steam .may be ejected against the inner face of the hat body. lt has heretofore been proposed to employ hollow heated blocks having perforations therein through which steam may pass to the kinner face of the hat. Such structures are, however, faulty in that condensed water is carried through the openings with the steam, thereby spotting the hat and frequently destroying the use or sale of the same, owing to the marking produced by the spots.

'lhepresent invention has for its main object the production of a steam heated stand., a block (or blocks) which cooperates with the stand and is heated thereby and means whereby super-heated steam is caused to flow through the opening or perforations in the block. rThe invention has for its further object the provision of meansk upon the stand whereby the stand may be used to properly support blocks of vdifli'erent sizes.

`With these and other objects in view, reference will be had to the annexed drawing.

The stand may be said to comprise a hollow metallic head or dome shaped chamber 3G into which steam is introduced through a pipe 37, extending from a steam supply main 38, the upper end of said pipe 87 preferably opening into the chamber at a point above the bottom of the chamber so that no water of condensation will collect about the mouth of said pipe and be forced outwardly from the chamber with the steam when the valve, hereinafter described, is opened. y i

A drain return pipe 39 extends from the lower portion of the chamber and is connected into a return main (not shown) so that a flow of steam is constantly passing through the chamber and keeps the walls thereof in a heated condition. A normally closed valve il is mounted within a tubular member 42 eX- tending through the chamber, said .member 42 carrying a valve seat d3 at its upper end and likewise being provided with openings 44 to admit steam to pass therethrough and outwardly through the valve seat when the valve 41 is retracted. A hand lever all is connected to the lower end of the valve stem and by raising the lever the valve may be witl'idrawn .from its seat and steam allowed to pass out-y wardly from the chamber.

A spring al" is attached to lever 4l" and tends to hold the inner end of the same in contact with the stop nut on the valve stem /ll and thus prevent lost motion and a drooping of the lever. By locating the valve out* let at the upper end of the chamber 3G there is little or no chance of any water passing` through the valve. The opening formed in the valve seat #i3 is quite small and has the effect of wire drawing the steam which passes from the chamber within the head with the consequence that the steam which lills the space between the head and the superposed block is dry and no water therefore comes in contact with the hat `whi ch is drawn down over the block. This is a material feature of the invention for if water is allowed to pass through the perforatiens in the hat block4 about to be described, it has a tendency'to spot the hat and destroy its value.

yThe exterior of the chamber is `provided adjacent its base with a rim or flange l5 which forms a seat for the inwardly extending flange i6 of a hat block or shape 47. Such block is preferably formed of aluminum or other non-corrosive metal, is hollow, and of a size when seated upon the flange 45 to stand away from the walls of the chamber 3G thus allowing the steam, which passes from the chamber when the valve is opened, to come into contact with the entire inner surface of the block and to thus thoroughly heat the same. Said block, as will be noted, is provided with a series of perforations 48 throughout its major portion, and at its lower portion its outer surface is knurled as at 49.

The stand is designed to take blocks of different sizes and shapes, it being understood that a block of the proper size and configuration will be employed in connection with any particular hat. To this end, I provide the stand with a second. flange 50, and have shown in dotted lines the portion of a block of smaller diameter and less height than that shown in full lines, the lower flange of which smaller block is resting upon the flange 50. Thus it will be seen that the same stand may be employed for different blocks and no steam can escape from the block except through the perforations therein and in direct Contact with the interior face of the hat body.

The stand iscircular in cross section while the blocks are usually elliptical in form. The opening formed by the flange d6 of the block therefore made circular so as to fit the supporting` flange 4to or 50, as the case may be, upon which the block comes to rest when positioned over the head.

In operation, and assuming a straw hat is to be renovated, the operator will take a block and place the same upon the steam heated support. A hat will then be drawn down over th block and may be fastened by a cord which is drawn tightly about the hat adjacent the brim, drawing the lower portion of the hat into contact with the knurled portion 4t2) of the block. Steam is then admitted to the block, passing out through the openings therein and into contact with the hat, softening the same.

The knurled portion prevents the hat from being blown off of the block if the hat makes a loose fit therewith. It only takes a small amount of steam and consequently a short period of time within which to soften the hat after which the steam is cut off and the hat may be smoothed down upon the block and left to dry in proper shape.

A hat so treated may then be placed in a suitable press or subjected to an ironing action in any suitable manner.

In the treatment of felt hats. the same general operation is eifected. rlfhe hat is first placed upon a block of suitable size and contour, being drawn down tightly thereover and held in place by the usual retaining cord. Steam is then applied to the interior of the hat in the manner above specified and the hat is thereafter allowed to dry. lt may be lured while still upon the block, and if soiled may be readily cleansed by the employment of a suitabe cleansing agent such as bem/.ol` gasoline or the like. This same operation may be carried out upon bats.

lNhat I claim is 1. A steaming device for hat bodies, comprising a steam chamber provided on its exterior with a plurality of supports to receive hat blocks of different depths and to maintain them in spaced relation to the outer wall of the chamber.

2. A steaming device for hat bodies, comprising a steam chamber having a plurality of flanges formed upon its exterior adjacent the base thereof; and a hat block having an inwardly extending flange at its lower end adapted to rest upon one of the flanges aforesaid.

3. A steaming device for hat bodies, comprising a steam chamber having a plurality of flanges formed upon its exterior adjacent its base said flanges being of different circumferential extent, said flanges being adapted to receive and support hat blocks of different depths; and a hat block having an inwardly extending flange at its lower end adapted to rest upon one of the flanges of the chamber.

4t. A steaming device for hat bodies, comprising, in combination, a steam chamber having a. flange extending outwardly therefrom adjacent its lower end; and a hat block having an inwardly extending flange at its lower end, the opening formed by the inner-edge of the flange being circular, said flange being adapted to rest upon the flange formed upon the wall` of the chamber.

5. A steaming device for hat bodies, comprisin g a substantially dome-shaped member; means for introducing steam to the interior thereof; a tubular member extending upwardly through said chamber and making a steam-tight oint at its upper and lower ends with said chamber; a valve seat mounted in the upper end of said tubular member, said seat being provided with a restricted discharge opening, and the tubular member being provided with openings to admit steam to its interior from the chamber; a valve stem mounted in the tubular member; means for normally holding` said stem against the seat to close the restricted opening therein; means under the control of the operator for moving the stem to withdraw it from the valve seat; and a perforated hat block adapted to be maintained upon the dome-shaped member in spaced relation. thereto.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

HERBERT EDVARD PAGE. 

